New Hp server config with VMWare Esx4

[msanjay196]

Hi,

We just bought a new server - DL380 G6. While installing the SmartSmart CD, it asks me to choose which o/s I want to install i.e windows 2003 or 2008.

However I want to install VMWare Esx4i. What should I do?

Also, how do I go about and install the Proliant Support Pack which contains all the drivers for the server?

Thanks

[Troy_Clavell]

You can't install ESX through SmartStart. The best you will be able to do is update your firmware. You will need to download the install media for ESX and boot off that.

I typically boot off the maintenace CD to flash the firmware though

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3884082&prodNameId=3884083&swEnvOID=2023&swLang=13&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-124beffbed3842cea0b9b3f962

[msanjay196]

Hi,

1) I did boot off the maintenance CD to flash the firmware.

The options that I get are for:

a) HP Smart Array P410

b) HP NC Servers Broadcom online firmware

c) HP Integrated Lights Out 2

is it typically that these are the only firmwares that one would need to update on the server?

I found that the server had a later version of the firmware than what was on the CD.

2) What about the proliant support pack? Do I need to install it before I install ESX 4i ?

Thanks for your help.

[DSTAVERT]

Check that you have the most current version. HP releases a new version of the firmware CD every few months. The most current one is Aug 10 version 8.6. There are occasionally updated firmware for specific devices between CD releases. Check to see to see if it affects your installation.

You don't need anything before ESXi. ESXi installs directly on the hardware. You can consider installing to the internal SD card slot and leave the drive space for the datastore.

[msanjay196]

okay ...

1) Does the firmware only cover

a) HP Smart Array P410

b) HP NC Servers Broadcom online firmware

c) HP Integrated Lights Out 2

or are their drivers for other things?

[DSTAVERT]

It includes all the firmware including disk drives. If there isn't something that applies it won't be installed. Firmware is different than drivers. Firmware is installed directly into the hardware and is permanent. Drivers get loaded into the operating system and are specific to the OS. The standard download from VMware will include all the drivers you will need. I would however use the version from HP since it includes custom CIM modules for monitoring.

[msanjay196]

1) What do you mean by " I should consider installing to the internal SD card slot and leave the drive space for the datastore?"

what is the card slot and how do I do that - it their a step by step guide (document)

2) the firmware cd - is it 1 (one) cd that covers all the Hp Proliant servers - or is their a specific one for each server type like one for DL360, another firmware cd for DL380?

Thanks (again)

[DSTAVERT]

There is an internal SD card slot intended for ESXi installation.

HP ESXi version download

https://h20392.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=HPVM06

The firmware CD is for all Proliant servers. The complete CD is listed under a Windows server

[msanjay196]

Thanks for all your help to all the contributors. :smileycool: :smileycool:

[DSTAVERT]

Good luck.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

You can get the HP ESXi version here - https://h20392.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductsList.do?category=VIRTVMW and you'll boot with it instead of the smartstart CD.




Dave

VMware Communities User Moderator

New book in town - vSphere Quick Start Guide -http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2009/08/12/new-book-in-town-vsphere-quick-start-guide/.

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